Chris Sutton lauds 'incredible' bargain buys Ange Postecoglou is delivering at Celtic

By Ben Evans

February 28, 2023

Chris Surron has been talking about the absolute bargain Daizen Maeda has proven to be since arriving from Yokohama F. Marinos. Sutton was speaking on The Monday Night Club about Celtic’s latest cup final win.

Ange Postecoglou’s side lifted the Scottish League Cup after a 2-1 win over fierce rivals Rangers. A Kyogo Furuhashi brace was enough to earn Celtic their first piece of silverware this season.

He was joined in the starting line-up by fellow Japanese stars Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate. The trio have lit up Celtic Park this season, and may need to expand their trophy cabinets before the end of the campaign.

Maeda was once again brilliant on Sunday, and even earned the praise of Ally McCoist. He was credited with the assist for Furuhashi’s first goal, scuffing Greg Taylor’s cross into the path of the striker. Taylor joked on Instagram that it was his assist, but the 25-year-old definitely got a small touch.

Sutton has praised Celtic’s signing of Maeda, believing him to be an incredibly astute signing. It wouldn’t be a surprise if clubs south of the border started to take an interest. If they did, Celtic could set to make a big profit on the winger.

Sutton praises Celtic for bargain signing Maeda

Discussing the forward on The Monday Night Club, Sutton said: “Celtic have been stealing these players from the Japanese market essentially.

“Daizen Maeda, scored in the World Cup, a one-man closing down machine, incredible energy he has. He cost just over a million pounds, that’s outrageous.”

Maeda was initially signed on loan 18 months ago, before the deal was made permanent last summer.

His eight goals in 22 appearances certainly made a big impression with Celtic fans. Postecoglou has praised the work his coaches have done with the forward this season to help his development.

He’s already matched his goals and assists tally from the last campaign in the Scottish Premiership. With every top performance Maeda puts in for Celtic, he looks more and more like the bargain Sutton was describing.

And it doesn’t seem like the Bhoys will be any less astute in scouring different markets for more hidden talents moving forward, if January’s business is anything to go by.